Lost in the Shuffle

The Barnard-Columbia urban studies program is a celebrated interdisciplinary venture, combining political, historical, economic, and sociological study with the schools’ location in the ideal case study of New York City. Students enjoy the program both for its fresh, diverse curriculum and for its accessible faculty and staff. But by denying tenure to the program’s popular director, assistant history professor Owen Gutfreund, the final deciding committee imperiled an institution in which the University should—and does—take great pride. This unfortunate decision cannot be revisited, but in its wake the University must ensure that the urban studies program sees continued success.

When the news broke over winter break that Gutfreund would be leaving, students and faculty expressed shock and bemoaned the departure of both an instructor and an adviser. Although history departments on both sides of Broadway recommended that Gutfreund receive tenure, Barnard’s Advisory Committee on Appointments, Tenure, and Promotion had the final say, ultimately giving him no explanation for its decision. Of course, academia is treacherous turf, and tenure bids are rejected often. We do not call for the decision to be reviewed or for exceptions to be made, and it is appropriate for the tenure process to be kept private. But the University should be more articulate in directing its general academic agenda, as well as in outlining the future of this and other programs. As last semester’s hunger strike and curricular disputes made clear, students want to know where the administration is taking specific programs.

Gutfreund is only one of three faculty members due for promotion who will be leaving urban studies. Art history professor Hilary Ballon is now at New York University’s new Abu Dhabi campus, and assistant urban studies professor Gregory Smithsimon—who was hired to a non-tenure track position—will leave after the next academic year. Their departures leave some worried that the program will be placed in a tenuous position, if not completely gutted. Gutfreund’s replacement, tenured economics and urban studies professor David Weiman, is a solid choice who must ensure that none of the program’s subjects get lost in the transition. Gutfreund has pledged to aid Weiman in adjusting to the role, and Weiman would do well to retain his predecessor’s close connection with students.

Weiman will have to fill the holes left by these professors, and the search has already begun. But the confusion surrounding Gutfreund’s denial of tenure may complicate this hiring process. Moreover, Weiman has already acknowledged that because urban studies is not a department, it may prove difficult to recruit qualified candidates who fit into existing academic departments. While not perfectly comparable, this evokes the plight of the Institute of African Studies (IAS), which temporarily suspended operations in 2006 only to reopen this fall under Mamadou Diouf, who was hired to lead the new program and placed in the Middle East and Asian languages and cultures department. University President Lee Bollinger and Vice President for Arts and Sciences Nicholas Dirks stepped in to put the IAS to rights. Again, the University must provide its support to maintain the urban studies program. Considering the popularity of this program, its place in a New York City institution, and the growing importance of interdisciplinary studies generally, the University should consider granting urban studies departmental status.

Scholarship is key to tenure decisions, but it is not the only factor worthy of consideration. The tenure committee’s decision to deny Gutfreund tenure invites doubt as to whether the committee paid due regard to his pivotal role within the program. Misguided as that decision appears to have been, what matters now is the future of the program Gutfreund directed so well. Barnard and Columbia must work together to send a clear message to the academic community that urban studies will continue to thrive.

Tags: Opinion, Editorial Board, tenure, Urban Studies